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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Changes in mental disorder prevalence among conflict-affected populations: a prospective study in Sri Lanka (COMRAID-R)

Authors: Chesmal Siriwardhana, Anushka Adikari, Gayani Pannala, Bayard Roberts, Sisira Siribaddana, Melanie Abas, Athula Sumathipala, Robert Stewart

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Longitudinal data are lacking on mental health trajectories following conflict resolution and return migration. COMRAID-R is a follow-up study of Muslims displaced by conflict from Northern Sri Lanka 20 years ago who are now beginning to return.

Methods

Of 450 participants in displacement interviewed in 2011, 338 (75.1%) were re-interviewed a year later, and a supplementary random sample (n = 228) was drawn from return migrants with a comparable displacement history. Common mental disorder (CMD; Patient Health Questionnaire) and post-traumatic stress disorder (CIDI-subscale) were measured.

Results

A CMD prevalence of 18.8% (95%CI 15.2–22.5) at baseline had reduced to 8.6% (5.6–11.7) at follow-up in those remaining in displacement, and was 10.3% (6.5–14.1) in return migrants. PTSD prevalences were 2.4%, 0.3% and 1.6% respectively.

Conclusions

We observed a substantial decrease in CMD prevalence in this population over a short period, which may reflect the prospect of return migration and associated optimism following conflict resolution.
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Metadata
Title
Changes in mental disorder prevalence among conflict-affected populations: a prospective study in Sri Lanka (COMRAID-R)
Authors
Chesmal Siriwardhana
Anushka Adikari
Gayani Pannala
Bayard Roberts
Sisira Siribaddana
Melanie Abas
Athula Sumathipala
Robert Stewart
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0424-y

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